1996 HONDA ODYSSEY tire type

Drive Belts, Tires

Drive Belts
Check the condition of the two drive
belts. Examine the edges of each
belt for cracks or fraying. Check the tension of each belt by
pushing on it with your thumb
midway between the pulleys.
The belts should have the following "play" or deflection.
Alternator belt:

8.0 —10.5 mm (0.31 — 0.41 in)

Power steering belt:
13.0 — 16.0 mm (0.51 — 0.63 in)

If you see signs of wear or looseness,
have your dealer adjust or replace
the belts.
Tires

To safely operate your car, your tires must be the proper type and size, in
good condition with adequate tread,and correctly inflated. The following
pages give more detailed information on how and when to check air
pressure, how to inspect your tires
for damage and wear, and what to do
when your tires need to be replaced.
Maintenance
POWER STEERING BELT
ALTERNATOR BELT Using tires that are excessively
worn or improperly inflated can
cause a crash in which you can be seriously hurt or killed.
Follow all instructions in this
owner's manual regarding tire inflation and maintenance.ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Tires
It is best to replace all four tires at
the same time. If that is not possible or necessary, then replace the two
front tires or the two rear tires as a pair. Replacing just one tire can
seriously affect your car's handling.
The ABS works by comparing the speed of the wheels. When replacing
tires, use the same size originallysupplied with the car. Tire size and
construction can affect wheel speed
and may cause the system to work in-
consistently. If you ever need to replace a wheel,
make sure the wheel's specificationsmatch those of the original wheel
that came on your car. Replacement
wheels are available at your Honda
dealer.

Wheels and Tires
Wheel:

15x6JJ

Tire:

P205/65R15 92S

See Tire Information on page 221 for
additional information about tire and
wheel size designations. See page 222 for information about DOT Tire
Quality Grading.
Winter Driving

Tires that are marked "M + S" or
"All Season" on the sidewall have an
all-weather tread design. They

should be suitable for most winter
driving conditions. Tires without

these markings are designed for
optimum traction in dry conditions.

They may not provide adequate
performance in winter driving.
For the best performance in snowy

or icy conditions, you should install
snow tires or tire chains. They may

be required by local laws under
certain conditions.

CONTINUED

Maintenance

Installing improper tires on your
car can affect handling and
stability. This can cause a crash in which you can be seriously
hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in thisowner's manual.
ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Tires

Snow Tires

If you mount snow tires on your
Honda, make sure they are radial
tires of the same size and load range as the original tires. Mount snow
tires on all four wheels to balance
your car's handling in all weather conditions. Keep in mind the traction
provided by snow tires on dry roads
may not be as high as your car's
original equipment tires. You should
drive cautiously even when the roads
are clear. Check with the tire dealer
for maximum speed recommenda-
tions.
Tire Chains

Mount snow chains on your car
when warranted by driving condi-
tions or required by local laws. Make sure the chains are the correct size
for your tires. Install them only on
the front tires. If metal chains are used, they must be SAE class "S".Cable type traction devices can also

be used.
When installing chains, follow the
manufacturer's instructions and
mount them as tightly as you can.
Drive slowly with chains installed. If
you hear the chains contacting the body or chassis, stop and tighten
them. If they still make contact, slowdown until it stops. Remove the
chains as soon as you begin driving

on cleared roads.

Chains of the wrong size or that are
improperly installed can damage your
car's brake lines, suspension, body, and
wheels. Stop driving if you hear the chains hitting any part of the car.

Maintenance
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Towing

If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never tow your car behind another car with
just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.

Emergency Towing

There are three popular methods of towing a car:

Flat-bed Equipment — The operator

loads your car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way of trans- porting your Honda.

Wheel Lift Equipment — The tow

truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension and body can be seriously damaged
if this method of towing is attempted.
If your Honda cannot be transported by flat-bed, it should be towed with
the front wheels off the ground. Ifdue to damage, your car must be
towed with the front wheels on the ground, do the following:
Release the parking brake.Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the engine, your car must be transported

on a flat-bed.

It is best to tow the car no fartherthan 80 km (50 miles), and keepthe speed below 35 mph (55

km/h).

Trying to lift or tow your car by the

bumpers will cause serious damage.
The bumpers are not designed to

support the car's weight.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Tire Information

Tire Size Designation
A tire's sidewall is marked with a tire size designation. You will need this
information when selecting replace-ment tires for your car. The follow-
ing explains what the letters and
numbers in the tire size designation

mean.

(Example tire size designation)

P205/65R15 92S

P — Applicable vehicle type (tires
marked with the prefix "P" are intended for use on passenger cars;
however, not all tires have this
marking).

205 — Tire width in millimeters.

65 — Aspect ratio. The tire's section

height as a percentage of its width.

R — Tire construction code (Radial).

15 — Rim diameter in inches. 92 — Load Index, a numerical code
associated with the maximum load
the tire can carry.
S — Speed Rating Symbol. See thespeed rating chart in this section for
additional information.

Wheel Size Designation

Wheels are also marked with important information that you needif you ever have to replace one. The
following explains what the letters and numbers in the wheel size
designation mean.

(Example wheel size designation)

15
x
6
JJ

15 — Rim diameter in inches.
6 — Rim width in inches.
JJ — Rim contour designation.
Tire Speed Ratings
The chart below shows many of the different speed ratings currently
being used for passenger car tires.
The speed rating symbol is part of the tire size designation on thesidewall of the tire. This symbol
corresponds to that tire's designed
maximum safe operating speed.

Technical InformationProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t Table of Contents

Warranty Coverages

U.S. Owners
Your new Honda is covered by these
warranties:

New Car Limited Warranty — covers

your new car, except for the battery, emissions control systems and
accessories, against defects in
materials and workmanship.

Emissions Control Systems Defects Warranty and Emissions
Performance Warranty — these two

warranties cover your car's emis- sions control systems. Time, mileage,
and coverage are conditional. Please
read the warranty manual for exact
information.

Original Equipment Battery Limited

Warranty — this warranty gives up
to 100% credit toward a replacement
battery.
Seat Belt Limited Warranty — a seat

belt that fails to function properly is covered for the useful life of the car.
Rust Perforation Limited Warranty — all exterior body panels are
covered for rust-through from the
inside for the specified time period
with no mileage limit.
Accessory Limited Warranty — Genuine Honda Accessories are
covered under this warranty. Time
and mileage limits depend on the
type of accessory and other factors. Please read your warranty manual
for details.

Replacement Parts Limited
Warranty — covers all Genuine

Honda replacement parts against
defects in materials and workman-

ship.
Replacement Battery Limited

Warranty — provides prorated
coverage for a replacement battery
purchased from a Honda dealer.
Replacement Muffler Lifetime
Limited Warranty — provides
coverage for as long as the pur-
chaser of the muffler owns the car.
Restrictions and exclusions apply toall these warranties. Please read the 1996 Honda Warranties booklet that
came with your car for precise
information on warranty coverages.
Your Honda's original tires are covered by their manufacturer. Tire
warranty information is in a separate booklet.

Canadian Owners

Please refer to the 1996 Warranty and Maintenance Guide that came
with your car.
Warranty and Customer RelationsProCarManuals.coms t Main Menu Table of Contents

Index
Seats
Reclining the Second Seat.......... 59

Removing the Second Seats....... 57

Third Seat Access...................... 56

Serial Number................................ 216

Service Intervals*.......................... 140

Service Manual.............................. 233

Service Station Procedures.......... 110
Setting the Clock............................. 66

Shifting the Automatic
Transmission.............................. 120

Shift Lever Position Indicator...... 120
Side Marker Lights, Bulb
Replacement in.......................... 178

Signaling Turns................................ 41
Snow Tires...................................... 174

Solvent-type Cleaners.................... 184
Sound System................................... 83

Spare Tire
Inflating....................................... 192

Specifications............................. 219

Spark Plugs, Replacing................. 160
Specifications Charts..................... 218

Speed Control...................................
46

Speedometer.................................... 3 7

SR
S Indicator............................. 16,

34

START (Ignitio
n
Key Position)..... 50
Starting the Engine........................ 119 In Cold Weather at HighAltitude................................... 119
With a Dead Battery................. 200
Steam Coming from Engine......... 202

Steering Wheel
Adjustment................................... 44
Anti-theft Column Lock.............. 49
Stereo Sound System...................... 83 Storing Your Car............................ 182

Sunroof............................................. 63
Closing Manually....................... 207
Operation......................................

63

Supplemental Restrain t
System
Service Precautions..................... 17
Servicing....................................... 16
SRS Indicator.......................... 16, 34
System

Components................... .
12

Synthetic Oil................................... 148
Tailgate........................................... 52

Taillights, Changing Bulbs in....... 179
Taking Care of the Unexpected.. 191 Tape Player................................ 87, 99
Technical Descriptions Anti-lock Brake System............ 220Emission Control Systems........ 224
Three Way Catalytic

Converter................................ 226

Tire Information........................

221

Temperature Gauge....................... .
38
Tether Attachment Points.............. 26 Three Way Catalytic Converter... 226
Time, Setting the...........................

66

Tire Chains.................................... .
174
Tire, How to Change a Flat.......... 193
Tires................................................ 169 Air Pressure............................... 170
Checking Wear.......................... 171
Compact Spare........................... 192
DOT Tire Quality Grading....... 222
Inflation....................................... 170
CONTINUED
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Gas Station Information

Gasoline:
UNLEADED gasoline
Pump octane number of 86 or higher
Fuel Tank Capacity:
65 l (17.2 US gal, 14.3 Imp gal)
Recommended Engine Oil:
API SH grade
"Energy Conserving II" oilSAE 5W-30 viscosity Tire Pressure (measured cold):
Front/Rear:

220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm2 , 32 psi)

Spare Tire Pressure:

420 kPa (4.2 kgf/cm2 , 60 psi)
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
Honda Premium Formula Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid or an
equivalent DEXRON ®
II type Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (ATF)ProCarManuals.coms t Main Menu